Monday, August 23, 2010

My post title should actually read, "Where's Renee?" I am going on a little journey for a few days and thought I would give you a clue. Can you guess from the picture where I am going? I'll see you soon!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

One of my favorite blogs is Quiltstory. This blog is the creation of sisters Heather and Megan of Fresh Poppy Designs. Every day they feature a quilt and the story that goes with it. They tell you how you can submit your own quilts. I want to show you a few of my favorites but I'm not sharing the stories - I'll let you have the joy of discovery at Quiltstory!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I have been a Susan Branch fan for many years and of her items that I have purchased, this postcard is one of my favorites. I have it out where I can see it and many times have thought it would make a great applique project.

It is true, dear bloggers, you are a thousand miles away and I wish that wasn't so. Can you imagine everything we would say to each other in person? Oh, the hours in a day would not be enough!

But, there are always two cups at my table...or more...for you! Have a truly blessed day!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

It was such a comfort to know that I am not the only one who struggles with fabric measurements. But after reading Beverly's comment and printing out her list, I feel like I've been set free. I should have asked you all before, but I was a bit embarrassed. With conversions in hand, I remeasured my fabric and labeled it. Then I made up a little fabric chart and started cutting.

Needless to say, things went much smoother and I didn't have to wonder if I was cutting up the wrong fabric. Knowledge is a wonderful thing! I learned a valuable lesson too, just ask. I don't think I'll be working in a fabric store anytime soon though, who knows what I'd cut for a customer!

With too many fresh blueberries on hand I decided to start the day with blueberry pancakes. My daughter had a good buddy sleep over so they really enjoyed the overabundance of fruit.

I'm dropping off my sewing machine to be serviced today. I feel like I'm dropping off my child at Kindergarten with all my separation anxiety. It's been running so slow that soon enough it will be faster to hand-sew (ugh!). Hopefully I'll get alot of fabric cut today. Have a wonderful day!

Monday, August 16, 2010

It's almost 1:00am and I've been tossing and turning in bed for almost an hour. I've been having a conversation with myself along the lines of this:

- Take the car in for an oil change first thing

- That means you have to get up at 7:30

- Maybe you should stop tossing and turning and try to get that 6 1/2 hours of sleep

- Call Doctor and ask about headaches

- Maybe if you'd get some sleep you wouldn't have headaches

- Why didn't I learn to read a ruler in grade school?

- Was I sick that day?

- Was it chicken pox?

- I bet it was a boy

- David with the big beautiful eyes

- I'm 48 for crying out loud

So, the most logical thing to do is to get up and google "how to read a ruler" which lands me on a site called "The Ruler Game". This is the first paragraph before the timed test. Yeah right.

"Reading a ruler is a valuable skill that you will likely use on your job, in your hobbies, and in your personal every day life. Without measuring devices like rulers, and people that can read them, we would still be living in caves."

I think I've just been insulted.

I managed to live quite a long time without this skill (in my comfy cave) until I started quilting. So a few years back I confessed my shortcoming to a good friend who sat me down with a ruler. I get the whole inch thing. My problem is what is 5/8 of a yard? 7/8 of a yard? It's those darn 8th's.

When you don't buy the exact fabric the pattern calls for and then you don't cut it out right away, you forget which fabric you chose for the 5/8 yd. AND this is what keeps a quilter up at night because I'm not cutting into that beautiful stack of fabric just to mess it up. So, I'm asking you dear blogger friends to help me on this. I will be forever grateful... goodnight...

Saturday, August 14, 2010

This past Thursday marked the beginning of four days of wedding festivities for my friend Nancy. Her daughter, Amanda, is marrying Rajiv and I was about to experience my first Indian wedding. Thursday began with the traditional henna party and Amanda (shown above) had her hands and palms done and we could participate as well. Once the henna drys, it is removed and the design underneath has stained the skin. It is then an orange/rust color.

This is my daughter who opted to have a design on her shoulder and one on her hand. I let her talk me into getting my hand done as well.

Friday night found us at Amanda's Father's lake house for the Indian wedding ceremony. Rajiv is brought across the lake on a boat playing festive music with family dancing and celebrating his arrival.

Rajiv is then greeted by the men and flowers are placed around his neck. It was really interesting and fun to see him in his traditional Indian wedding attire.

Amanda was then brought down the aisle by her brother, Casey, as is the custom as well as a group of women and little girls dropping colorful flower petals. She was absolutely stunning in her sari.

They are both escorted to a tent that is richly decorated with scarves and flowers, statues and pillows. From this point on the traditional Indian wedding ceremony took place. I did not understand most of it, but found it fascinating.

This is Nancy, Amanda's Mom, who is seated with Amanda's Father. Both sets of parents are seated on cushions near the bride and groom and have significant roles to play during the ceremony.

I love this fun shot I took of Nancy and her husband, Doug, and some very important people in their (and my) life.

Amanda had a wonderful time and the festivities continue today with the American wedding tonight. I have the privilege of giving the prayer at dinner and look forward to sharing more pictures with you.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

I start this day with clean(er) bathrooms, mopped floors and laundry put away and ready for some sewing fun. Today I will be cutting out fabric for Erica's quilt. Erica is a darling college girl that I have been mentoring for a couple of years now. We do Bible study, talk about boys, share recipes and scrutinize life together all through the lens of God's word. She had a birthday recently and when I asked her what she wanted, she asked for a quilt. Imagine that, being asked to make a quilt - my heart soared!

She knew she wanted it bright and so we based it on the Amy Butler sheets she had purchased. I had fun picking out the pattern and fabric since the colors are not something I would normally work with. The fabric is from many different lines. The backing fabric above is from Free Spirit and is called "Sugar Snap" isn't that a cute name?

Amy Butler has some great bedding lines out and making a quilt to match the sheets (lower right hand corner) is a great project. Most of the stores around me are not carrying much of her bedding lines yet but I'm sure it won't be long.

The pattern uses many different size squares and rectangles. The picture above is made with fabric from the "Nicey Jane" collection.

I like how the pattern uses some very large pieces of fabric, really showing the pattern of the fabric off.

It feels good to be running my hands over fabric today. I'm always amazed at how excited I get over quilting. Just finding the right pattern can get me dancing. Brenda from Little Acorns has three new patterns out. Check out her wonderful blog here to see them!